From Scrum to Kanban and XP: Choosing the Right Agile Framework for Different Projects

After 44 years of slavery, Mamout used his many skills, such as making charcoal and building bricks, to get his freedom, go on to work as a business, and buy a home. In the grand scheme of American history, this seemingly insignificant act of ingenuity by a man who had endured decades of captivity may seem insignificant. But it's also a powerful example of resilience, adaptability, and the power of small steps forward—all of which are important ideas in modern software development.

Mamout's journey from slavery to success bears striking similarities to the principles of Agile systems such as Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming (XP). These methods help teams quickly adjust to new project and market needs, just as Mamout changed his skills to deal with the hard facts of his time.

Scrum is a system that encourages small, cross-functional teams to work together without a hierarchy. This method is similar to Mamout, who could perform multiple tasks simultaneously, such as weaving baskets one day and making bricks the next. Scrum builds up goods in small steps, prioritising iterative updates over a big debut. Mamout did not achieve his freedom and success all at once. He did it by taking a number of small, well-thought-out steps over time.

In West Africa in the early 1800s, Muslim thinkers were struggling with their own kind of agility. The idea of "Suwarian tradition," named after the teacher Al-Hajj Salim Suwari, who lived in the 1400s, pushed for an open and accepting way of practicing Islam in places that are not Muslim. This practice, like the Kanban method for making software, stressed being flexible and always getting better.

Similar to Kanban, the Suwarian method aims to demonstrate the completion of tasks and minimise the remaining workload. Both know how important it is to work with the processes that are already in place while slowly making them better. Just like Kanban teams change their methods based on real-time feedback, Suwarian experts adapted Islamic practices to fit different African cultures. This helped the faith stay alive and grow.

Still, not all Agile models stress slow change. For instance, Extreme Programming (XP) advocates for swift and significant changes in software development. The Fulani groups in West Africa during the 1800s provide a unique historical illustration of this way of thinking. Leaders such as Usman dan Fodio attempted to fundamentally transform society in what is now northern Nigeria, akin to XP's goal of revolutionising software development.

Whether applied in West Africa in the 1800s or in modern software development, these bold ideas often encounter resistance. Many Asian businesses, for example, find it challenging to use Agile methods because their work attitudes are very strict and hierarchical. This opposition bears similarities to the challenges faced by early and mordern leaders in Africa as they navigate complex social and political situations.

Finding the right mix between new ideas and respecting other cultures is important for both Agile adoption and the growth of Islam in Africa. In some cases, this could mean taking a slower, more Kanban-style method. In some cases, a structure like Scrum or XP might work better.

When we think about how Yarrow Mamout went from being a slave to starting his own business, it reminds us that success usually happens in small steps. Still, if you follow these steps regularly and on purpose, they can cause big changes. Whether we're discussing the dissemination of religious ideas across nations or the development of software in modern businesses, the principles remain unchanged: adapt, replicate, and enhance.

You can't pick one Agile system that works for all projects when you choose Scrum, Kanban, XP, or any other. It's crucial to understand the unique workings of each project, team, and organisation, just as Mamout understood the intricate social structure of early 19th-century America or how Muslim thinkers adapted their beliefs to suit diverse African cultures. We can get the most out of Agile methods by adopting this subtle, situation-aware approach. Small, everyday actions can become the sparks that lead to big changes.